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So the summer is over. Gone are the long and sunny days when it was so lovely to run on Vancouver’s amazing sea wall. Now we’re in it for 8-9 months of rainy grey weather. But is it really that bad? I had tons of fun running my first half marathon this past summer. While it was a nice accomplishment, I felt like I was baking under the hot sun. It was draining mentally and physically. Instead of drinking the water from the the aid stations, I ended up splashing it in my face (and up my nose a few times). So is it really that bad to run during the fall and winter in Vancouver? It’s nice and cool, you don’t have to share the sea wall with the summer crowds, and the ocean and mountains offers a unique, misty vibe. Here are some helpful tips to make running in the rain a more optimal experience:

Wear a hat

In my opinion, it might be the most important piece of gear for running in the rain. It keeps the rain from drowning your eyes and provide some warmth for your head. Look for either a waterproof or a dry fit hat.

Running jacket

Wearing a waterproof jacket isn’t necessarily the best choice if it’s not cold outside. In Vancouver’s rainy season, it might be more comfortable to wear a breathable water resistant jacket. They’re usually built to breathe, be ultralight weight, keep most of the rain out. Getting a little damp with a decent jacket helps with cooling you down but not cold from being soaked.

Compression gear

Running in tights will help avoid chafing and provide warmth. Skin irritation from friction of wet clothes can cause a bunch of grief. Although this has not been proven, my experience with compression wear is that it decreases post run recovery.

Embrace wet shoes

We’ve all had that experience of stepping in a puddle and soaking your shoes. The initial sensation of cold water and squishy sensation at toes and heel are not pleasant. But my experience is the moisture eventually warms up to your feet and my brain tunes out the squishy feeling. Wearing wicking socks can help you avoid blisters on your feet. If want to shell out for it, there are gore tex runners out there that can keep your feet dry.

Wear a head lamp

Safety first! Be sure to have a light source if it’s dark outside. It will also help others see you particularly if you’re running on the street.

So get out there are and embrace the rain!

Byron Chan, BScPT, GIMS, CAFCI